Cessna 180 and amateur-built VANS RV-6 accident near Oshkosh, Wisconsin, August 1, 1998
On August 1, 1998 at about 11:40 pm local time, 2 aircraft, Cessna 180 (N111WF) and amateur-built VANS RV-6 (N122BP), were involved in the same accident near Oshkosh, Wisconsin (Oshkosh Whitman Regional airport). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot failed to maintain clearance from the other airplane while taxiing.
the pilot of the other airplane did not maintain proper clearance.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 1, 1998 · about 11:40 pm local time
- Place
- Oshkosh, Wisconsin · Oshkosh Whitman Regional · map
- Type
- Accident · collision on the ground
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft 1
- Cessna 180 · all 180s on the register
- Registration
- N111WF · registry record · serial 31243
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
- Aircraft 2
- Amateur-built VANS RV-6
- Registration
- N122BP · registry record · serial 22912
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative for the Cessna 180 final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was taxiing for departure on a north-south taxiway for a departure from runway 18R. He reported that the ATIS advised all traffic to watch the flagmen for ATC instructions. The pilot reported that he was watching the flagman as instructed. The pilot reported, 'The flagman gave me a signal to stop as I approached the intersection, and then changed to the right turn signal. I started my right turn. The flagman gave me no indication that there was an aircraft in my path, or that I should do anything other than complete the turn.' He reported that he was about halfway through the turn when his propeller struck the right wingtip of the RV-6. He reported, 'I was confident that this area was clear because the flagman, with a clear view, directed me to make the turn.'
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The NTSB's narrative for the amateur-built VANS RV-6 final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of the other airplane was taxiing for departure on a north-south taxiway for a departure from runway 18R. He reported that the ATIS advised all traffic to watch the flagmen for ATC instructions. The pilot reported that he was watching the flagman as instructed. The pilot reported, 'The flagman gave me a signal to stop as I approached the intersection, and then changed to the right turn signal. I started my right turn. The flagman gave me no indication that there was an aircraft in my path, or that I should do anything other than complete the turn.' He reported that he was about halfway through the turn when his propeller struck the right wingtip of the RV-6. He reported, 'I was confident that this area was clear because the flagman, with a clear view, directed me to make the turn.' The pilot of the RV-6 was not aware of the conflict until the Cessna's propeller hit the right wing and aileron of his airplane.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record for the Cessna 180 from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 6,000 hours in all; 1,500 in this make and model; 50 in the last 90 days; 15 in the last 30 days; 5,500 as pilot in command; 200 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,714 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 14, 1997; 40 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,550 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-470-U (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Destination: 9WIG Spring Prairie WI
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 11:53 pm from OSH
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
The factual record for the amateur-built VANS RV-6 from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 8,500 hours in all; 40 in this make and model; 40 in the last 90 days; 20 in the last 30 days; 7,500 as pilot in command; 2,000 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 40 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 14, 1998; 40 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,600 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Destination: GRB Green Bay WI
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.